Is it legal to use an athletes name?

gamercreator · August 2012

Hello, I'm new on the forum and I was wondering if someone could help me out.

I am currently working on a sports game, and I was wondering if it is legal to use an athletes name on the game? Example: Michael Phelps Swimming..?? I'm not to familiar with the whole legal area when it comes to apps.. haha I just make them :)

Thanks!
GamerCreator

matt2009 · August 2012

no

esoteric · August 2012

Legal: no.
Possibly still get approved into the store: yes, but I wouldn't waste too much time on hoping it gets approved.

mediaspree · August 2012

I would just call it "Summer Games Swimming" although summer games might be trademarked too :p

JonPM · August 2012

Or maybe use Phichael Melps

RoryHarvey · August 2012

Do you mean calling the game itself "Michael Phelps Swimming" or having a swimming game with a character called Michael Phelps?

esoteric · August 2012

What if you called it "Micheal Phelps" and had "Michael" in your keyword?

Would that still be considered using his name even though it's misspelt?

Touchmint · August 2012

Makes me wonder how the 10+ Jordan and lebron shoe collecting apps get away with it.

taylor202 · August 2012

esoteric said:
What if you called it "Micheal Phelps" and had "Michael" in your keyword?

Would that still be considered using his name even though it's misspelt?

Haha you're a crafty son of a gun. Legally you would be ok since it is not his name. Now will that keep Apple from pulling it if they receive complaints, probably not.

esoteric · August 2012

Well yeah, it depends on a lot of things...how big the name you're wanting to use is. Would that person/celebrity whatever even care if you used their names. I'm sure a lot of people like Jordan or Lebron (making millions and millions per year) that even if they see the app with their names on it couldn't care less about it so no complaints are ever filed. Especially if you're app is just a fun little game or shoe collection app.

Will also depend on if the app reviewer is feeling like a dick that day :p

donnadon · August 2012

I think it's not a problem ;)

HemiMG · August 2012

esoteric said:
What if you called it "Micheal Phelps" and had "Michael" in your keyword?
Would that still be considered using his name even though it's misspelt?

That most likely wouldn't fly either. Just ask the Mike Rowe, who tried to start MikeRoweSoft.

chemistry · August 2012

Looks like you are allowed (or someone just got really lucky?):
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bolt!/id539693368?l=zh&mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mike-tyson-main-event/id407110106?l=zh&mt=8

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Is it legal to use an athletes name?

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